Panel anchor assembly

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide an anchor assembly configured to be secured to a panel. The anchor assembly includes a main body, a double-sided adhesive, and a fastening member. The main body includes a base, wherein a through-hole is formed through the base. The double-sided adhesive is attached to one side of the base. The fastening member is retained within the through-hole. The fastening member may be manufactured with the main body and the double-sided adhesive as a single piece.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/782,443 entitled “Thin Panel Anchor Assembly,” filed Mar. 15, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to anchor assemblies, and more particularly to anchor assemblies that are configured for use with household refrigerator units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional refrigerators and freezers include a plurality of shelves that are configured to support various food items within the refrigerator. For example, the shelves may support beverages, such as a gallon of milk, soft drink cans, and various other food items that are to be chilled. The shelves are supported by rails, which are mounted to lateral walls of an inner shell of the refrigerator.

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an outer surface of a conventional refrigerator liner 10. The refrigerator liner 10 has a plurality of holes 12 formed therethrough (only one hole is shown in FIG. 1). Each hole 12 is aligned with an anchor 14.

The anchor 14 includes a unitary main body 16 having a flat base 18 integrally formed with angled wings 20. A hole 22 is formed through a central area of the base 18, and is aligned with the hole 12 formed through the refrigerator liner 10. A layer of double-sided foam tape (not shown) is adhesively secured to a rear surface of the base 18. Because the tape is double-sided, the tape adhesively secures to the base 18, and an outer surface of the refrigerator liner 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the conventional refrigerator liner 10. The liner 10 includes lateral walls 24 integrally formed with upper, lower and rear walls 26, 28, and 30, respectively. An inner chamber 32 is defined between the lateral, upper, lower, and rear walls 24, 26, 28, and 30. The anchors 14 are secured to outer surfaces of the lateral walls 24 such that a pair of anchors 14 on one lateral wall 24 are aligned and parallel with a pair of anchors 14 on an opposite lateral wall 24. That is, two anchors 14 on one lateral wall 24 and two anchors on an opposite lateral wall 24 all reside within the same plane.

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the conventional refrigerator liner 10 within an outer shell 34. Once the anchors 14 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) are secured to outer surface of the lateral walls 24 of the liner 10, the liner 10 is positioned in the outer shell 34. Insulation foam is then added between the liner 10 and the outer shell 34. The insulation secures the liner 10 to the outer shell 34, and secures the anchors 14 in place.

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a shelf rail 36 being secured to an inner surface of a lateral wall 24 of the refrigerator liner 10. The rail 36 includes a plurality of shelf securing slots 38 configured to receive and retain shelf tabs (not shown). The rail 36 also includes fastener holes 40. The fastener holes 40 are aligned with the holes 12 formed through the lateral walls 24. After the fastener holes 40 and the holes 12 are aligned, a fastener 42, such as a screw, is passed through the holes 40 and 12 and into the hole 22 formed through the anchor 14 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The process of aligning the fastener holes 40 with the holes 12 and anchor holes 22, and then positioning the fastener through the passages defined by these components, however, is time consuming and cumbersome.

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of the shelf rail 36 mounted to an inner surface of the lateral wall 24 of the refrigerator liner 10. In order to secure the rail 36 to the lateral wall, both fasteners 42 are positioned within respective fastener holes 40 formed through the rail 36. However, before the second fastener 42 can be fully tightened, the other fastener 42 is first aligned and driven tight. If one fastener 42 is aligned and tightened before another fastener 42 is aligned within the rail 36, the rail 36 may shift such that the other fastener 42 does not properly pass from the rail 36 into the hole 12 formed through the lateral wall 24 of the refrigerator liner 10. The process of aligning both fasteners 24, and driving one before the other also adds time to the manufacturing process.

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of a conventional refrigerator housing 44. The housing 44 includes the refrigerator liner 10 secured within the outer shell 34. Vertical rails 36 are positioned on interior surfaces of lateral walls 24 of the liner 10 and are secured in place through fasteners engaging the anchors 14 (not shown in FIG. 7) secured to outer surfaces of the lateral walls 24. After the rails 36 are secured within the housing 44, support shelves (not shown) be secured in place on the rails 36.

A need exists for a quick and efficient method of securing shelf rails to a refrigerator liner. A need exists for a less time-consuming process than that described above with respect to FIGS. 1-6.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an anchor assembly configured to be secured to a panel. The anchor assembly includes a main body including a base, wherein a through-hole is formed through the base, a double-sided adhesive attached to one side of the base, and a fastening member retained within the through-hole. The fastening member is configured to extend through an opening in the panel, and may be configured to be secured to the main body before the main body is secured to the panel through the double-sided adhesive. The fastening member may be manufactured with the main body and the double-sided adhesive as a single, unitary piece.

The fastening member may be a screw or bolt. Optionally, the fastening member may include a barrel integrally formed with a head, with the barrel defining a fastener passage. The barrel is configured to receive and retain a fastener within the fastener passage. The barrel may include at least one outwardly extending ramped tab that snapably secures the barrel to the main body. The barrel may also include a distal lip or flash ridge configured to secure around an opening of a shelf rail.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for securing a shelf to a panel. The system includes a plurality of anchor assemblies and a shelf rail. Each anchor assembly includes a main body including a base, wherein a through-hole is formed through the base, a double-sided adhesive attached to one side of the base, wherein the double-sided adhesive adhesively secures the main body to an outer surface of the panel, and a fastening member retained within the through-hole, wherein the fastening member passes through the panel.

The shelf rail is supported on an inner surface of the panel by the fastening members of the anchor assemblies. The shelf rail includes a plurality of fastener openings, wherein each of the fastening members passes through one of the plurality of fastener openings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an outer surface of a conventional refrigerator liner.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a conventional refrigerator liner.

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a conventional refrigerator liner within an outer shell.

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a shelf rail being secured to an inner surface of a refrigerator liner.

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a shelf rail mounted to an inner surface of a lateral wall of a refrigerator liner.

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of a conventional refrigerator housing.

FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric front view a lateral wall of a liner and an anchor assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an isometric rear view of an anchor assembly mounted over an outer surface of a lateral wall of a liner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric front view of an anchor assembly mounted on a lateral wall of a liner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric front view of a shelf rail positioned on a lateral of a liner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric front view of a shelf rail securely fastened to a lateral wall of a liner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric exploded view of an anchor assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates an isometric rear view of an anchor assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates an isometric front view of an anchor assembly aligned with a lateral wall of a refrigerator liner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates an isometric rear view of an anchor assembly mounted to a lateral wall of a refrigerator liner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates an isometric view of a refrigerator housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates an isometric front view of a shelf rail aligned over a lateral wall of a refrigerator liner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates an isometric front view of a shelf rail securely mounted on a lateral wall of a refrigerator liner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a shelf rail securely mounted on a lateral wall through line 19-19 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 illustrates an isometric view of a shelf rail fastened to a lateral wall of a refrigerator liner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a shelf rail fastened to a lateral wall of a refrigerator liner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates an isometric view of a barrel anchor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an anchor assembly securely mounted into a lateral wall of a refrigerator liner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric front view a lateral wall 50 of a refrigerator liner 52 and an anchor assembly 54 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator liner 52 may be the same as the refrigerator liner discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-6. The lateral walls 50 of the liner 52 may be, for example, 0.04″-0.06″ thick. The lateral walls 50 may, however, have various other thicknesses. Fastener holes 56 are formed through the lateral wall 50.

The anchor assembly 54 includes a unitary main body 58 having a planar base 60 integrally formed with outwardly angled wings 62 at either vertical end. A fastener through-hole (not shown) is formed through a central portion of the base 60 and is configured to allow a fastener to pass therethrough.

Double-sided foam tape 64 is adhesively secured to a front surface of the base 60. The foam tape 64 may be 0.40″ thick. Tapes of various other thickness may also be used.

A fastener 66, such as a screw, is threadably secured through the fastener through-hole of the base 60 before the anchor assembly 54 is positioned on the refrigerator lining 52. The fastener 66 is driven through the base 60 at a set distance. The anchor assembly 54, including the fastener, is manufactured as a unitary piece. The fastener hole 56 formed through the lateral wall 50 is large enough to allow the head of the fastener 66 to pass. Because the anchor assembly 54, including the fastener 66, is manufactured as a single piece, the process of installing shelf rails to the lining 52 is simplified, due to the fact that separate fasteners are not used. As such, the time-consuming process of lining up the shelf rails with holes, inserting fasteners through the holes, and then ensuring that the fasteners are aligned and positioned before tightening is eliminated.

FIG. 8 illustrates an isometric rear view of the anchor assembly 54 mounted over an outer surface 68 of the lateral wall 50 of the liner 52. As shown in FIG. 8, when the anchor assembly 54 is secured to the lateral wall 50, the fastener 66 is already positioned through the lateral wall 50. Thus, the process of inserting a separate fastener into to the lateral wall 50 and through the anchor assembly 54 is eliminated. The anchor assembly 54 may also include a securing collar 70 positioned over a portion of the fastener through hole 72 formed through the base 60. The collar 70 may threadably engage the fastener 66 in order to ensure that the fastener 66 is securely retained within the anchor assembly 54. Collar(s) 70 may be positioned on the rear and/or front of the base 60. Because the fastener 66 is threadably secured within the base 60, the possibility of the fastener 66 dislodging from the anchor assembly 54 during manufacturing and/or shipping is minimized.

FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric front view of the anchor assembly 54 mounted on the lateral wall 50 of the liner 52. As noted above, the hole 56 formed through the lateral wall 50 allows the engagement head 74 of the fastener 66 to pass. Thus, the fastener 66 outwardly extends from the lateral wall 50 and, as such, is easily visible. The double-sided tape 64 ensures that the anchor assembly 54 remains in secure position with respect to the lateral wall 50, such that the fastener 66 remains protruding through the hole 56. The relatively large diameter of the hole 56 allows the fastener 66 to move a limited distance relative to the hole 56 before the fastener 66 is tightened (thereby allowing leeway during the shelf rail alignment process). Once all the anchor assemblies 54 are secured to the liner 52, the liner 52 is positioned and secured within an outer shell (as discussed above with respect to FIG. 3).

FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric front view of a shelf rail 76 positioned on the lateral wall 50 of the liner 52. The shelf rail 76 includes a plurality of shelf securing slots 78, and a fastener hole 80 integrally connected to a keyhole slot 82. The shelf rail 76 may be positioned on the lateral wall 50 so that the engagement heads 74 pass through the fastener holes 80. The fasteners 66 temporarily hold the shelf rail 76 in place. Once the shelf rail 76 is positioned on the lateral wall 50 such that the fasteners 66 pass through the fastener holes 80, the shelf rail 76 may be downwardly shifted in the direction of arrow A so that the fasteners 66 pass into the keyhole slots 82. Once the fasteners 66 are in the keyhole slots 82, the fasteners 66 may be tightened to firmly secure the shelf rail 76 to the liner 52.

FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric front view of the shelf rail 76 securely fastened to the lateral wall 50 of the liner 52. Because the engagement heads 74 have a larger diameter than the keyhole slots 82, the engagement heads 74 cannot pass through the keyhole slots 82. Instead, a rear circumferential area (hidden from view in FIG. 11) of each engagement head 74 abuts the portion of the shelf rail 76 that surrounds and defines the keyhole slot 82. As the fastener 66 is tightened, the shelf rail 76 is compressively secured to the lateral wall 50. All the fasteners 66 may be driven to a final secure position at any time because of the extra clearance area provided by the keyhole slots 82.

Thus, the shelf rail 76 may be quickly and easily secured to the liner 50 without aligning holes of the shelf rail 76 with holes formed in the liner 52. Instead, as discussed above, the fastener holes 80 are positioned over the easily visible fasteners 66. Once the shelf rail 76 is positioned on the fasteners 66, the shelf rail 76 is downwardly shifted in the direction of arrow A, as shown in FIG. 10, and the fasteners 66 are then tightened to securely fasten the shelf rail 76 to the liner 52.

FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric exploded view of an anchor assembly 90 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The anchor assembly 90 includes a main body 92 having a planar base 94 integrally formed with wings 96, similar to the main body 58, discussed above. A hole 98 is formed through a central portion of the base 94. Double-sided foam tape 100 is adhesively secured to one side of the base 94, similar to the tap 64 discussed above.

Instead of a screw-type fastener, however, a barrel anchor 102 is positioned through the hole 98 and the tape 100. The barrel anchor 102 may be formed of plastic or other suitable materials, and may be configured to snapably secure to the planar base 94. The barrel anchor 102 includes a head 104 integrally formed with a cylindrical barrel 106 that includes a fastener passage (not shown in FIG. 12). The barrel anchor 102, the main body 92, and the tape 100 may all be manufactured together as a single piece. Alternatively, the barrel anchor 102 may be a separate component.

FIG. 13 illustrates an isometric rear view of the anchor assembly 90. as shown in FIG. 13, the barrel 106 includes a fastener passage 108 configured to receive and retain a fastener.

FIG. 14 illustrates an isometric front view of the anchor assembly 90 aligned with a lateral wall 110 of a refrigerator liner 112 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The anchor assembly 90 is adhesively mounted to the lateral wall 110 such that the barrel 106 is positioned through an opening 114 formed through the lateral wall 110.

FIG. 15 illustrates an isometric rear view of the anchor assembly 90 adhesively mounted to the lateral wall 110 of a refrigerator liner 112. The double sided tape 100 (shown in FIGS. 13 and 14) adhesively secures the main body 92 to the outer surface of the lateral wall 110. The barrel 106 (shown in FIG. 14) extends through the hole 114 formed through the lateral wall 110. If the barrel anchor 102 is a separate component, the main body 92 may be adhesively mounted to the lateral wall 110. After the main body 92 is mounted to the lateral wall 110, the barrel 106 (shown in FIG. 14) of the barrel anchor 102 may then be passed through the opening 98 (shown in FIG. 13) and the opening 114 (shown in FIG. 14).

FIG. 16 illustrates an isometric view of a refrigerator housing 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator housing 120 includes the lining 112 secured within an outer shell 120. As shown in FIG. 16, the barrels 106 extend through the lateral walls 110 of the lining 112 into an interior chamber 122 of the refrigerator housing 120. Thus, the barrels 106 are easily visible within the interior chamber 122.

FIG. 17 illustrates an isometric front view of a shelf rail 130 aligned over the lateral wall 110 of the refrigerator liner 112 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The shelf rail 130 include a plurality of rectangular shelf-securing slots 131 and circular barrel holes 132. The size and shape of the barrel holes 132 allow easy discernment between the barrel holes 132 and the slots 131. Thus, the shelf rail 130 is easily aligned with the barrels 106. The shelf rail 130 is then urged toward the lateral wall 110 so that the barrels 106 are received and retained within the barrel holes 132.

FIG. 18 illustrates an isometric front view of the shelf rail 130 securely mounted on the lateral wall 110 of the refrigerator liner 112. As shown in FIG. 18, each barrel 106 is retained within a barrel opening 132.

FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the shelf rail 130 securely mounted on the lateral wall 110 through line 19-19 of FIG. 18. The shelf rail 130 may include a plastic flash ridge 140 surrounding each barrel hole 132. The flash ridge 140 may cooperate with the distal end of the barrel 106 to hold the shelf rail 130 in place before the shelf rail is permanently fastened to the lateral wall 110 of the liner 112 through a fastener (not shown in FIG. 19). Optionally, the extended lip at the distal end of the barrel 106 may cooperate with an edge defining the barrel hole 132 in order to secure the barrel hole 132 around the barrel 106 (thereby securing the shelf rail 130 to the barrel 106). Additionally, the main body 94 and/or the barrel anchor 102 may include at least one snap tab configured to snapably secure the barrel anchor 102 to the main body 94.

FIG. 20 illustrates an isometric view of the shelf rail 130 fastened to the lateral wall 110 of the refrigerator liner 112. FIG. 21 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the shelf rail 130 fastened to the lateral wall 110 of a refrigerator liner 112. Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, a fastener 150, such as a screw, threadably engages the fastener passage 108 of the barrel 106. The fastener 150 may be a screw suitable for plastics, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,818, entitled “Threaded Fastener Particularly Suited For Plastics,” which issued Dec. 20, 2005, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The fastener 150 may include a threaded outer shaft 152 that bites into an interior surface of the barrel 106. The fastener 150 may be pneumatically or manually threaded or otherwise driven into the barrel 106. The fastener 150 acts to securely fasten the shelf rail 130 to the lining 112.

FIG. 22 illustrates an isometric view of a barrel anchor 160 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The barrel anchor 160 includes a barrel shaft 162 having a plurality of ramped tabs 164 extending outwardly therefrom. The ramped tabs 164 act to secure the barrel anchor 160 into lateral wall of a refrigerator liner.

FIG. 23 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an anchor assembly 166 securely mounted into the lateral wall 110 of the refrigerator liner 112. The ramped tabs 164 allow the barrel shaft 162 to pass through the hole defined in the lateral wall 110. As the barrel shaft 162 passes through the hole, the ramped tabs 164 snapably engage the edges 170 of the lateral wall 110 that define the hole. Thus, each anchor assembly 166 may be securely mounted to the lining 112.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a quick and efficient method of securing shelf rails to a refrigerator liner. The embodiments of the present invention aids in the installation and support of fasteners into thin panels. In general, embodiments of the present invention decrease the time it takes to align support members onto thin panels. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in connection with a refrigerator, the embodiments may be used in various other applications. A refrigerator is merely shown and described as one example of an application.

Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

While various spatial terms, such as upper, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, and the like may used to describe embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims. 

1. An anchor assembly configured to be secured to a panel, the anchor assembly comprising: a main body comprising a base, wherein a through-hole is formed through said base; a double-sided adhesive attached to one side of said base; and a fastening member retained within said through-hole, wherein said fastening member is manufactured with said main body and said double-sided adhesive as a single piece.
 2. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein said fastening member is one of a screw and bolt.
 3. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein said fastening member comprises a barrel integrally formed with a head, said barrel defining a fastener passage.
 4. The anchor assembly of claim 3, wherein said barrel is configured to receive and retain a fastener within said fastener passage.
 5. The anchor assembly of claim 3, wherein said barrel comprises at least one outwardly extending ramped tab that snapably secures said barrel to said main body.
 6. The anchor assembly of claim 3, wherein said barrel further comprises a distal lip configured to secure around an opening of a shelf rail.
 7. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein said fastening member is configured to outwardly protrude from the panel, and wherein a support structure is configured to be securely fastened to the panel through said fastening member.
 8. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the panel is a liner of a refrigerator.
 9. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein said main body comprises at least one collar that secures said fastening member within said through-hole.
 10. A system for securing a shelf to a panel, the system comprising: a plurality of anchor assemblies, each of said plurality of anchor assemblies comprising: a main body comprising a base, wherein a through-hole is formed through said base; a double-sided adhesive attached to one side of said base, said double-sided adhesive adhesively securing said main body to an outer surface of the panel; and a fastening member retained within said through-hole, said fastening member passing through the panel; and a shelf rail supported on an inner surface of the panel by said fastening members, said shelf rail comprising a plurality of fastener openings, wherein each of said fastening members passes through one of said plurality of fastener openings.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of fastener openings comprises fastener through hole integrally connected to a keyhole slot.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein each of said fastening members is one of a screw and bolt.
 13. The system of claim 10, wherein each of said fastening members comprises a barrel integrally formed with a head, said barrel defining a fastener passage.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein said barrel is configured to receive and retain a fastener within said fastener passage.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein said barrel comprises at least one outwardly extending ramped tab that snapably secures said barrel to said main body.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein said barrel further comprises a distal lip configured to secure around one of said fastener openings of said shelf rail.
 17. An anchor assembly configured to be secured to a panel, the anchor assembly comprising: a main body comprising a base, wherein a through-hole is formed through said base; a double-sided adhesive attached to one side of said base, said double-sided adhesive configured to adhesively secure said main body to the panel; and a fastening member retained within said through-hole, wherein said fastening member is configured to extend through an opening in the panel, and wherein said fastening member is configured to be secured to said main body before said main body is secured to the panel through said double-sided adhesive.
 18. The anchor assembly of claim 17, wherein said fastening member is one of a screw and bolt.
 19. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein said fastening member comprises a barrel integrally formed with a head, said barrel defining a fastener passage, wherein said barrel is configured to receive and retain a fastener within said fastener passage, said barrel comprising at least one outwardly extending ramped tab that snapably secures said barrel to said main body, and a distal lip configured to secure around an opening of a shelf rail.
 20. The anchor assembly of claim 17, wherein said main body comprises at least one collar that secures said fastening member within said through-hole. 